Remember, Remember… It’s Very Nearly 5th Of November!

The temperature might be dropping
as we enter November but don’t worry as it’s very nearly time to warm yourself
up around a bonfire. We’ve got some fascinating historical facts about 5th
November and we’ve included a guide of some local bonfires you might like to
attend.

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

Bonfire night has been celebrated
for over four centuries in Britain on 5th November: it marks the
occasion when a plan to blow up Parliament was foiled. Guy (also known as
Guido) Fawkes was a significant member of a group of thirteen conspirators who
planted 36 barrels of gunpower under Parliament, hoping to blow it up and kill
King James I.

Guy Fawkes was heavily influenced
by Catholic members of his family – he wanted to revert England to being a
Catholic country, after it had become a Protestant one around half a century
before. He was part of a group led by Thomas Wintour, who thought that the way
to do this, was to kill the protestant monarch and his government – leaving it
open for a Catholic replacement.

As you may have realised, things
didn’t quite go to plan for Guy and his conspirators! He was caught red handed
just hours before the plot came to fruition, underneath the House of Lords – near
the carefully constructed tunnel which had been used to transport the
explosives from a nearby house. Whilst it wasn’t Guy that was the ringleader of
the group, he’s the one best remembered for being caught – it’s effigies of Guy
that are commonly burnt on bonfires all across the country.

Bonfire Night Events Around Manchester

There’s loads of fun family
friendly Bonfire Nights events on around Manchester: head over to the
Manchester Evening News website, to
see their full guide. Some of the events we’ve picked out include:

·Heaton Park – head
down to the park at 7:30pm onwards on 5th November for a giant
bonfire, funfair and a range of tasty treats. Free entry.

·The Horse and Jockey, Chorlton – this Chorlton
based pub has brought its bonfire
night celebrations back with a bang this year. Head down with your kids at
7pm on 5th November for a special children’s display or at 9pm for a
grown-ups display! Free entry.